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Diesel Mechanics Technology

Types of Degrees Diesel Mechanics Technology Majors Are Earning

People majoring in Diesel Mechanics Technology have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	4,115
Associate’s Degree	2,419
Bachelor’s Degree	15
Master’s Degree	3,213

What Diesel Mechanics Technology Majors Need to Know

Studies in Diesel Mechanics Technology build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Diesel Mechanics Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

Coursework in Diesel Mechanics Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Mechanical — Importance 4.7 / 5; level 6.0 / 7.
• Transportation — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Education and Training — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Public Safety and Security — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set built by a Diesel Mechanics Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Repairing — Importance 4 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Troubleshooting — Importance 4 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Equipment Maintenance — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.

Abilities

Abilities most relevant to Diesel Mechanics Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 4 / 5; level 4 / 7.
• Finger Dexterity — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Control Precision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Diesel Mechanics Technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	4.6 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.4 / 7
Getting Information	4.3 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.3 / 7
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	4.2 / 7
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	4.1 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.1 / 7
Controlling Machines and Processes	4.0 / 7
Performing General Physical Activities	4.0 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.0 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Diesel Mechanics Technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Shop management software	Facilities management software	—
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
SAP software	Enterprise resource planning ERP software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	—
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS	Facilities management software	—
Fleet management software	Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software	—
Cummins INSITE	Analytical or scientific software	—
Inventory tracking software	Inventory management software	—
Scheduling software	Calendar and scheduling software	—
Word processing software	Word processing software	—
Database software	Data base user interface and query software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Diesel Mechanics Technology graduates include:

• Motor Mechanic
• Diesel Truck Mechanic
• Truck Engine Mechanic
• Heavy Truck Mechanic
• Tractor Mechanic
• Boat Engine Mechanic
• Industrial Truck Mechanic
• Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech)
• Motor Coach Mechanic
• Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic
• Power Generation Equipment Repairer
• Railroad Motor Mechanic
• Truck Overhauler
• Truck Trailer Mechanic
• Bus Engine Mechanic

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Diesel Mechanics Technology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Postsecondary certificate	39.5%
High school diploma or equivalent	36.9%
Some college courses	21.9%
Less than a high school diploma	1%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	0.7%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Diesel Mechanics Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 94.3% of Diesel Mechanics Technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	561	5.7%
Men	9,298	94.3%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Diesel Mechanics Technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	5,541	56.2%
Asian	128	1.3%
Hispanic or Latino	2,428	24.6%
Black or African American	748	7.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	110	1.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	39	0.4%
Two or More Races	359	3.6%
Race Unknown	472	4.8%
International Students	34	0.3%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Diesel Mechanics Technology Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Diesel Mechanics Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$37,744
4 years	$43,612
5 years	$49,558

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $49,558 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Diesel Mechanics Technology Worth It?

On the earnings side, the federal earnings tracker, Diesel Mechanics Technology graduates earn a median of $43,612 four years after completion — roughly 15% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	74,567
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician	41,728
Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician	7,637
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician	5,464
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician	3,372
Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician	2,100
Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician	896
Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician	799
Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician	719
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	630
High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic	470
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician	412

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.